How many CFA candidates are there?

173,000.

As of August 31, 2009, there are a total of 173,000 distinct candidates to be Chartered Financial Analysts or CFA charterholders from more than 150 countries worldwide. This is according to the 2009 Annual Report published by the CFA Institute in 2009. For 2009 the passing rate for Level III of the CFA exams was pegged at 49%.